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Title: | The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Mediterranean region over 18 months : bridging the health outcomes and sustainable development goals |
Authors: | Cuschieri, Sarah Grech, Elizabeth Gatt, Adrienne Cutajar, Angelica Vassallo, Carine Zahra, Daniel Chatlani, Daniela Farrugia, Francesca Cutajar, Karen Mifsud, Leonie Tabone, Maria Pia Azzopardi, Martina Pace, Matthew Mifsud, Nicole Lorraine Aldousari, Nourah Baldacchino, Raissa Caruana, Rebecca Camilleri, Samuel Azzopardi, Sarah Cassar, Sarah Miceli Farrugia, Sarah Agius, Daniel Cuschieri, Andrea |
Keywords: | COVID-19 (Disease) -- Mediterranean Region COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020- -- Risk factors -- Mediterranean Region COVID-19 (Disease) -- Mortality -- Mediterranean Region COVID-19 (Disease) -- Vaccination -- Mediterranean Region COVID-19 (Disease) -- Transmission -- Mediterranean Region -- Prevention |
Issue Date: | 2022 |
Publisher: | Makerere University. Medical School |
Citation: | Cuschieri, S., Grech, E., Gatt, A., Cutajar, A., Vassallo, C., Zahra, D.,...Cuschieri, A. (2022). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Mediterranean region over 18 months: Bridging the health outcomes and sustainable development goals. African Health Sciences, 22(4), 551-564. |
Abstract: | Background: The COVID-19 pandemic spread across the globe, including across the Mediterranean basin. This region presents diversity in economy, culture, and societal affairs. We attempted to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on the population and on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), our aim being to aid in the development of COVID-19 national plans. Methods: Epidemiological data was obtained from ‘Our World in Data’ databases (January 2020 – July 2021). Case, mortality, and vaccination incidence comparisons were made across neighbouring countries. The SDG index, universal health coverage (UHC) and health workforce targets were collected for each country. Correlations between SDG targets and COVID-19 outcomes were analysed. Results: Similarities in morbidity and mortality outcomes were present across neighbouring countries, with a bidirectional relationship between cumulative fully vaccinated population and infectivity fatality rates. Positive relationships were present between SDG indexes, UHC and health workforces and COVID-19 cases, deaths, and vaccinations. Conclusion: At prima face, high-income countries seem to have sustained worse morbidity and mortality outcomes, despite having had better UHC and a greater health workforce in the pre-COVID-19 era however, one must also consider that factors such as health-seeking behaviour and underdiagnosis may have influenced this. Cross-border infectivity was, however, evident. Pan-Mediterranean action must therefore be taken to ensure COVID-19 transmissibility and mortality are reduced across borders, while ensuring an equitable health outcome across populations. |
URI: | https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/104995 |
Appears in Collections: | Scholarly Works - FacM&SAna |
Files in This Item:
File | Description | Size | Format | |
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The impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on the Mediterranean region over 18 months bridging the health outcomes and sustainable development goals 2022.pdf | 1.24 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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